Nelson Mandela’s Childhood Born in 1918, Nelson’s peaceful boyhood was spent cattle herding in South Africa. When his father died, Nelson’s rich and powerful relative took custody of him. His values were shaped by traditions and his royal privileges.

He was sent to boarding school and later to Fort Hare Missionary College. He was expelled from college for helping to organize a strike against the white colonial rule of the institution. He ran away from home to avoid an arranged marriage. Later, he graduated from the University of South Africa with a degree in law. He joined a law firm as an apprentice.

Protest Work Begins In 1942,Nelson joined the African National Congress (ANC). Soon Nelson Mandela had persuaded the ANC to use boycotts and strikes against the government. He was arrested for civil disobedience, and was not allowed to attend gatherings.

In his spare time, Nelson Mandela studied to become a lawyer so that he could protect blacks. Work as a lawyer strengthened his feelings against apartheid (which segregated and discriminated against blacks in South Africa). Nelson was particularly active during the 1950’s.

Arrest After the Shapesville massacre in which many blacks were killed, the white rule banned the ANC. Nelson went underground. He created the MK, which was the military portion of the ANC. Nelson arranged military training in Algeria for the MK members. He launched a sabotage campaign.

On his return from Algeria he was arrested for going between countries without a passport, and was tried for sabotage and attempting to overthrow the government. He spent the next 28 years in prison. Before going to prison he said, “Make every home, every shack or rickety structure into a learning center.”

Robben Island Prison When he got to Robben Island, Nelson the other prisoners started a hunger strike to get better living conditions. The prisoners won. They also found ways to communicate with other prisoners. A few methods were: writing messages on toilet paper, hiding messages in the bottom of food buckets, and taping notes to the inside rim of toilet seats. While Nelson was in prison he was offered freedom if he would stop his violent actions. He refused this offer. In 1990, after 27 years, he was freed

President of South Africa The ANC decided to suspend its 30-year armed struggle. In July of 1991, Nelson Mandela was appointed President of the ANC. Nelson decided to join the government to negotiate South Africa’s future. Finally everyone came to agree on a majority rule constitution that states racial discrimination it is against the law.

In 1993, Nelson Mandela shared the Nobel Peace Prize for dismantling apartheid, and in 1994 he became the first democratically elected South African president. In June of 1999, Nelson Mandela retired from the presidency, and returned to live in the town of Qunu, Transkei, in which was born.

Mandela’s Family Mr Mandela has been married 3 times. He was first married to Evelyn in 1944. They divorced in 1958. His former wife died in 2004. They had two daughters and two sons. Their baby daughter, Makaziwe died at nine months in 1947. Their eldest son, Thembi was killed in a car accident in 1969 when Mandela was in prison. He was not allowed to attend the funeral. Their second son, Makgatho died of an AIDS-related illness in 2005.

In 1958 Mr Mandela married Winifred In 1958 Mr Mandela married Winifred. They had two daughters, Zenani and Zindziswa. They divorced in 1996. On his birthday in 1998, Mr Mandela married Graça Machel. Mrs Machel brought two children and two step-children into the marriage.